Mangalore, June 23: The jackfruit aroma pervaded all over the area - thanks to the Jack Fruit Mela-2012 organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, on its premises in the city on Saturday.
Jackfruit growers from various parts of the state have been taking part in the two-day Mela with different varieties of jackfruit. Not just that, there were also different eatables prepared out of jackfruit. Dozens of varieties of jackfruits were on display and visitors relished jackfruits of all varieties to their fullest.
The Mela was organised in association with Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fishery Science University, Horticulture University, Bagalkote, Horticulture Research Station, Ullal.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Zilla Panchayat President K T Shailaja Bhat said that jack fruit would be given priority in Kepu cluster in Bantwal under the integrated horticulture development programme, which has planned to grow five crops in 10 clusters in Dakshina Kannada district.
She said that five villages namely Kepu, Punacha, Peruvai, Manila, and Alike were included in Kepu cluster.
Stating that jack fruit has helped poor to quench their hunger, Ms Bhat said that now it is time to understand the value of this fruit.
Ms Bhat also said on the occasion that Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has framed an action plan for Rs 525 crore for multi-village drinking water scheme.
The panchayat would submit proposals seeking additional grants of Rs 23 crore with the state government for construction of roads and solid waste management, she said.
Exhorting the people to give priority to water conservation, she said adopting rain water harvesting would help in solving the problem of water shortage.
Kannada hand books on jack fruits titled ‘Halasina uthpadane thanthrikathegalu haagu maulyavardhane,’ ‘Bhathada krishiyalli yanthrikathe naati,’ and ‘Karavaliyalli bhathada besaya’ were released on the occasion.
